In AILA’s Think Immigration blog, Jonathan Grode explores how the 2026 FIFA World Cup represented a major opportunity for the United States to showcase its leadership, hospitality, and openness to lawful international visitors, but argues that immigration policies and global perceptions ultimately diminished the tournament’s economic and diplomatic potential. As the country looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Grode calls for a balanced approach that strengthens border security while reaffirming America’s longstanding tradition as a welcoming nation.
